Workers need pensions reminder

Thu 20 Nov 2008

UK workers need to be reminded to save towards a pension, the government has said

Pensions minister, Rosie Winterton told an industry gathering both pensions providers and government faced a challenge getting people to save.

"Accepting that people are not saving enough and those who are saving are considering their options, we need to be united in our message that pension saving is for the long-term and one of the best ways of providing for retirement,' she said.

Ms Winterton noted more was being done to improve pensions for women and carers, and insisted government had acted to reduce the administrative burden on pensions schemes.

She added: "I will be asking experts across the pensions industry to consider how together we can best reach out to consumers to talk to them in a sensible and helpful way about their pension and about pension saving."

Currently the pensionable age for women is 60 and for men 65, although by 2020 both men and women will retire at 65.

Government pensions are separate from workplace initiatives and private pensions.
Workers in office jobs in Manchester could inquire if their employer offers a contributory pension scheme.